EE Price Increase Without Warning

ToDebt

Good morning, I noticed last month that my standard EE mobile phone contract price had gone up without any prior warning. I had started the contract in October 2013, this was before the new laws came into place.

EE contacted me last month and deeply apologised, and offered to cover the cost of the increase. I need advice from here, do I have any legal rights to end the contract without any penalty? Have they broken any laws by not giving me any formal notice of a price increase? Thanks

wealdroam

ToDebt wrote: »

...do I have any legal rights to end the contract without any penalty?

No, you do not.

bod1467

wealdroam wrote: »

No, you do not.

Depending on the increase, they may. If a supplier changes the contract price then this gives the consumer the opportunity to either accept the change, or reject it and exit the contract without penalty.

However, if EE are applying a discount for the remainder of your contract so that the actual amount you pay is as per the contract - then no, you have no legal right to exit penalty-free.

OlliesDad

bod1467 wrote: »

Depending on the increase, they may. If a supplier changes the contract price then this gives the consumer the opportunity to either accept the change, or reject it and exit the contract without penalty.

From memory, most mobile phone contracts include a clause that they can increase the price based on RPI. If this was the case the OP could not cancel.

EDIT: The following link shows that new contracts can not have this clause, however as the OP's contract is from last year, the price can be increased.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/phones/2014/01/o2-to-hike-its-prices-by-2-7-can-you-leave-your-contract-penalty-free

bod1467

Indeed - which was why I said Depending on the increase.

MrJester

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5021418

powerful_Rogue

JoeJester wrote: »

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5021418

Read and follow the advice in the thread above.

Managed to exit mine and the other halfs contract early last year and also received £100 compensation from the ombudsman. Was a long drawn out process, but worth it in the end.

Sunnyhaze

Indeed, follow the instructions in the link. I got my 3 contracts cancelled with EE and I got just over £300 back. I also got to keep my devices.


Edit: It might be worth noting though, that a claim could likely be unsuccessful as they have offered to cover the cost of the increase, so effectively, you are not being affected by a price increase. No harm in trying though.